I cannot independently verify the 2026 paper, but according to a new systematic review and meta-analysis summarized here, serotonergic psychedelics (psilocybin, LSD, mescaline, DMT/ayahuasca) and MDMA occasionally trigger hypomania or mania, with rates varying by context. Reported frequencies ranged from about 5.8% in controlled psilocybin-assisted therapy for severe depression to as high as 30% in naturalistic samples with existing bipolar disorder. When symptoms appeared, they were typically acute and self-limiting.
Who is most at risk? Observational data point to higher risk in people with bipolar I disorder, those with a family history of mood disorders, individuals engaging in polydrug use, and use in unsupervised or illicit settings. The authors report lower observed rates in screened, supervised clinical environments.
Does it lead to lasting bipolar disorder? Registry analyses cited in the review estimated about 4% (95% CI 2–8%; N = 7478) later transition to a bipolar diagnosis after an episode, with limited evidence that this was specific to hallucinogens, suggesting underlying vulnerability and other factors may play major roles.
Bottom line: the review suggests a low but clinically relevant short term risk in susceptible people, while long term and repeat-exposure effects remain uncertain.
Hope this helps.